Cardboard curtains and other minimalistic lessons

Our second week of marriage could be described as stereotypical if we hadn't moved to a new country.

As our belongings continue the voyage across the Atlantic, we must make do with an air mattress, a few plates and cookware Russell borrowed from work, and other basic necessities.

Air must be added to the mattress sometime in the middle of each night as we both slowly sink in the middle. Last night, though, we resorted to one of us sleeping on a bed roll on the floor and the other on the air mattress so we can get some somewhat untinterrupted sleep. Not so great for a newlywed couple.

The primitive curtains we created to block out the sun, which sets around midnight and rises again at about 4 a.m. in the summer, have evolved as the week progressed. First, we placed the bed roll in front of our bedroom window, but this still let in plenty of light. Then, Russell had the idea to hang two pairs of his jeans, place two throw pillows on each side of the window and then have the bed roll covering the middle. Better, yes, but still the light seeped its way in. And so, Russell came up with what he called his "best idea yet": using flattened cardboard boxes to cover the majority of the windows, but still leaving the jeans, throw pillows and bed roll. This was a true success!

We must work with what we have as we try to patiently wait for those double-sided curtains, our new bed and other wonderful things to ship from the USA. Russell, as he picked up some of the few possessions we have around the apartment, said it's going to be a little sad when everything gets here because we'll then lose the simplicity we've become used to this week.

As for my reaction to Sweden? Everything is still settling in, especially as we recover from jet lag, but so far, I have a more-than-positive view of my surroundings. More to come on this soon. I won't leave as many gaps between posts as I have recently, but I'm sure you all understand getting married and moving to a foreign country were taking most of my time. The Swedish adventure begins!

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